Purchasing cooperatives have become an essential tool for many businesses and organizations. Purchasing cooperatives help members improve their competitiveness, and leverage their combined purchasing volumes into savings and efficiencies. In this four-part educational series, co-op developers will learn the strategies and the development process for starting a purchasing cooperative.
Financing Food Co-ops to Advance Regional Food Systems
Accessing USDA Rural Development Programs for Cooperatives
In this webinar attendees learned how to:
- Recognize the benefits of purchasing cooperatives
- Define the types of cooperative purchasing
- Define key factors in the feasibility of purchasing cooperatives
- Understand major steps in starting a purchasing cooperative
Part 1: Introduction to Purchasing Cooperatives
- Why form a purchasing cooperative?
- What is a purchasing cooperative?
- Benefits of being a member-owner
- Traits of successful purchasing co-ops
- Typical member commitments
Moderator
- Lisa Stolarski – Executive Director, Co-ops USA, National Cooperative Business Association
Presenters
- Ian Gray – President, Buying Group Services, Inc.
- Don Collyard – Principal, Main Street Cooperative Group
- Howard Brodsky – Co-Founder, Chairman and Co-CEO, CCA Global Partners
Who Should Attend
- Cooperative Developers
- Individuals interested in learning about purchasing cooperatives